Details contained within government documents show some of the most highly-paid members of Whitehall claimed as little as £4.50 for taxi fares, while others claimed for stays in central London hotels after being wined and dined by large corporations such as British Aerospace.

A Freedom of Information request reveals Mr Manley, the Chief of Defence Estate, claimed £13,743, including £5,542 to stay 47 nights at the New Hall Hotel and Spa in Sutton Coldfield.

EXPENSES: The amounts claimed by Whitehall varied from a few pounds to tens of thousands [GETTY]

“This is a phenomenal amount of money to fork out on expenses for already very well-paid staff”

Robert Oxley, TaxPayers' Alliance

Dame Ursula spent £73,000 on an official car and driver between January 2011 and March 2012 while Prof Welland claimed expenses of £67,830 for the same period.

And Mr Gray ran up a £100,000 bill after he was hired to cut waste. His expenses included £23,000 for 106 nights in hotels in London and Bristol on "official duties". Mr Gray, who earns £220,000 a year, lives a 60-mile drive from Whitehall.

The head of the MoD's military equipment programme also charged £65,531 for using an official car and driver, £17,929 for air and rail travel and £280 for taxis, despite having the car laid on.

Robert Oxley of the TaxPayers' Alliance said: "This is a phenomenal amount of money to fork out on expenses for already very well-paid staff. The MoD must do all they can to reduce this bill."

An MoD spokesman said: "First-class air travel has been banned and expenditure on staff cars has been slashed. Travel is an essential part of MoD business."